It doesn’t take long to realize just how much injustice exists in our world.
This summer, I spent time working for a nonprofit dedicated to alleviating global poverty, and there I witnessed testimonies of leaders across the world who face daily persecution for their faith.
In one country — which I cannot name for security reasons — the field leader informed us of churchgoers who were barricaded inside their place of worship, beaten and even killed within the four walls of their church simply because they wouldn’t deny their faith in Jesus Christ.
When you take a look at global news, there are plenty of examples of these vicious attacks echoing through this broken world.
Moments like this always cause me to think: how can God allow this to happen? If God has control over all the earth, how could he look down on us and see these awful things and let them happen?
Of course, we aren’t the first to experience these hardships; the Bible is full of people who were persecuted for their faith — including our savior, Jesus Christ.
James 1:2 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.”
Joy? How can we count any attack on innocent believers around the world as joy?
However, this persecution is not anything new. Paul reminds us that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” in 2 Timothy 3:12. And there is no better witness to this then Paul, who wrote this hard-hitting message from the confines of a prison cell.
Injustices, especially for believers, should be anticipated in this harsh and cold world, which seeks to attack and deconstruct the faith.
Too often, we see a lack of justice for the victims of this sickening violence across the world — villains getting away with the violence they promote.
Even though the immediate effects can be disheartening, Scripture affirms that justice will be served in due time. Psalm 37:28 reminds us that “the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints.”
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow, a woman who pleaded tirelessly to local counsel for justice. When she was finally granted her request, Jesus parallels this with God’s gracious character: “And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7).
While you might not experience the intensity of physical persecution, all Christians are promised to face some sort of attack on their faith — whether it’s emotional abuse, social alienation or any pushback that discourages believers in their walk.
Even still, don’t be discouraged. God’s infallible character empathizes with our pleas, and he responds. His justice surpasses any sense of righteousness we feel on earth, knowing persistent faith will unite us with him in heaven one day. And there, face-to-face with our savior, is where we will experience the all-encompassing justice he promises for us.
Garman is a copy editor for the Liberty Champion.